Global Mom: An Interview with Melissa Dalton-Bradford

April 11, 2014 by Michele Cherie in Contentment, Cultural Reflections, Parenting Books

It's rare to find a book that enhances your knowledge of world cultures while embracing you as a cherished family friend and confidante, yet Melissa Dalton-Bradford does exactly this in her memoir, Global Mom: Eight Countries, Sixteen Addresses, Five Languages, One Family. More than a collection of tales of family globetrotting, Global Mom recounts with humor and honesty her family's journey through life-altering circumstances, and the result is a book that brims with touching truths and memorable moments.

Ever gracious, Melissa agreed to answer some questions I had for her after reading her book. (She responded from Geneva while preparing for their upcoming move to Frankfurt.) It's an honor to share her responses with you here.

Weathering the Tides of Family Life: Seasons Of Separation & Single Parenting

March 25, 2014 by Michele Cherie in Home Management, Reflections on Parenting, Contentment

I've heard this twice lately: to children, there is no such concept as quality time; instead, all they discern is time spent together or apart. Our family has been vacationing in central Oregon the past few days, and it's been renewing--not so much for the change of scenery, though the high desert beauty is arresting, but for the time spent en famille.

Marriage Matters: A Follow-Up to the Couples' Getaway

February 18, 2014 by Michele Cherie in Reflections on Parenting, Contentment

Nearly three years have passed since my husband and I last went on a couple's getaway without a newborn baby along, so this last weekend was refreshing! FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) invited former major league baseball player José and Michelle Alvarez to speak to more than a hundred of us coaches & spouses. Located at the Skamania Lodge in Washington, the weekend included impressive meals and some free time to enjoy the pool and spa. An honest look at one's marriage is so crucial for couples! Here are the thoughts this weekend stirred up in me:

Lessons Learned in Seven Years of Marriage

February 14, 2014 by Michele Cherie in Contentment

My husband and I dated for a jaw-dropping five years before we married in our late twenties/early thirties. You'd think we knew each other well enough that we'd easily transition to married life--but there were still plenty of surprises from the start. In honor of this Valentine's Day weekend, here are some of the lessons I've learned so far in our marriage:

Don't fear his faults. Pray and forgive. Know that your own shortcomings require more attention.

Living Without Advertising: How to Escape the Messages

February 07, 2014 by Michele Cherie in Home Management, Contentment

"I think maybe the key to eating healthy is not eating any food that has a TV commercial." --Chris Rock (parody Twitter account)

It's hard to imagine modern life without the constant exposure to advertising. How many phone books appear on our doorstep each year? How much of our daily mail consists of catalogs, credit offers, and coupons? We're used to the constant chatter, but it's more than a pesky annoyance. Advertising undermines our joy by suggesting that who we are and what we have is not enough. The more we're exposed to commercials, the more we're left with a nagging sense of dissatisfaction. If we have to be convinced that we need a product, we really don't.

Here are three simple steps to stop the flow of advertising into your home:

10 Things I Learned from Tsh Oxenreider's New Book

February 04, 2014 by Michele Cherie in Cultural Reflections, Contentment, Learning Resources

One of my favorite non-fiction writers, Tsh Oxenreider, released a new book today: Notes From A Blue Bike: The Art of Living Intentionally in a Chaotic World. A few weeks ago I received an advance copy to review, and the book was a fascinating read. (I responded by sharing my path to an intentional life here.) Here are ten points I gleaned from Tsh in her latest book:

Living Intentionally in an Indulgent Culture: Notes From A Blue Bike

January 30, 2014 by Michele Cherie in Contentment, Cultural Reflections, Home Management, Learning Resources, Reflections on Parenting

Have you ever returned from a trip with a desire to live differently? International travel in particular is a catalyst for life change. It provides a view of life rearranged, of priorities and resources altogether different from those at home.

I was blessed to be able to study and travel abroad frequently in my twenties. In Sri Lanka, I observed women sewing shirts priced higher than their annual salary. In Jordan, a family prepared me a meal so savory and generous that my stomach will never be so full again. In France, I grew accustomed to a life in balance, where Sundays for most families consisted of a noontime meal, a nap, leisure time outdoors, and a quality movie on national television.

Le temps de pénitence: Remembering the Swiftness of Time

January 29, 2014 by Michele Cherie in Contentment, Teaching French

As a young teacher I once invited members of a pétanque club to teach my students how to play their sport (a bowling game similar to bocce). One of the two members who came was an elderly Swiss man who gave me an envelope containing two poems he'd typed. We never met again before his death, but I cherish his gift. When I think of the importance of intentional living, I remember this poem written by René Seghetini: